New Mexico News Roundup: Frijoles Fire Tops 8,000 Acres, Former House Leader Convicted

Published Aug 15, 2026 · Community · Red Rock Daily staff

Here’s a roundup of recent New Mexico news: the Frijoles Fire in the Santa Fe National Forest has topped 8,000 acres with zero containment, a federal jury convicted former House Majority Leader Sheryl Williams Stapleton on corruption charges, and more.

Frijoles Fire tops 8,000 acres near Bandelier National Monument

The Frijoles Fire in the Santa Fe National Forest — in Santa Fe County, near Bandelier National Monument and Frijoles Canyon — grew to 8,197 acres with zero containment as of Aug. 15, 2026 (KRQE; KOB 4). Smoke has blanketed northern New Mexico communities, and health officials warned of smoke impacts (Source New Mexico; Albuquerque Journal). The fire had grown past 3,000 acres by Aug. 10. The Santa Fe Indian Market is proceeding as usual this weekend despite the smoke (KOAT).

Federal jury convicts former House Majority Leader Sheryl Williams Stapleton

A federal jury convicted Sheryl Williams Stapleton — a former New Mexico House majority leader and Democrat from Albuquerque — on corruption charges on Aug. 14, 2026, in a kickback scheme tied to her work at Albuquerque Public Schools (Santa Fe New Mexican; ABC News/AP). She resigned in 2021 amid a criminal investigation. Her trial began Aug. 3, and her attorney argued she stole from a friend, not taxpayers (Santa Fe New Mexican).

Albertsons recalls products over possible Salmonella contamination

Albertsons recalled products sold in New Mexico that could be contaminated with Salmonella (KRQE, Aug. 12, 2026).

Verizon outage blamed on multiple fiber cuts

A Verizon outage in New Mexico was blamed on multiple fiber cuts; service was restored (KOB 4 / KOAT, Aug. 13, 2026).

‘Super’ El Niño could bring wetter winter

Forecasters said a “super” El Niño could bring a wetter-than-normal winter for New Mexico (KOAT; News Radio KKOB, Aug. 14, 2026).

Anti-uranium advocates take over hearing; senator calls for moratorium

Anti-uranium advocates wrested control of a public hearing on a proposed mine near the Navajo Nation, and a New Mexico senator called for a uranium moratorium amid a spike in extraction interest (Source New Mexico, Aug. 10, 2026).

For more on the Land of Enchantment, see the New Mexico guide.